Covid in Scotland: Vaccine offered to children aged five to 11

Children between the ages of five and 11 in Scotland are to be offered a Covid-19 vaccine after the government accepted a draft ruling from advisers.

The UK's Joint Committee for Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) officially backed the rollout of jabs to youngsters on Wednesday afternoon.

But the Scottish and Welsh governments had already announced they would go ahead, having seen draft guidance.

Plans are being put in place with health boards to deliver the vaccines.

The move does not affect children who are already being vaccinated due to medical conditions which place them at greater risk from the virus.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said parents and carers of five to 11-year-olds "need not do anything" and more information would be announced when plans are finalised.

The Scottish government has confirmed it will offer Covid vaccinations to all children aged five to 11 years, adding to the pressure on UK ministers to do so in England.

The Scottish decision follows an announcement on Tuesday from the devolved government in Wales that it would follow unpublished advice from the Joint Committee for Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) that all children in that age group should be jabbed.